Partition



Aug. 4, 1936. A. G. DAWSON PARTITION Filed May 4, 1952 glwuentoe AXEL G. DAwso/v Hal Patented Aug. 4, I936 oFFic 2,049,692 7 PARTITION Axel G. Dawson, Dahlstrom Metallic Jamestowm N. Y., assignor to Door Company, Jamestown, N. Y., 'a; corporation of'NewfYork Application May 4, 1932, Serial N0. 609,135 4 Claims. (o1. may-.34

This invention relates to an improvement in partitions, thepreferred embodiment of which discloses means.v for connecting and looking together adjacent panel units.

The principal. object of the invention lies in the provision of means for removably and spacedly locking adjacentpanel elements of a partition.

Another object of the invention lies'in the provision of panel lockingmeans adapted to receive face plates by which tosimilate the appearance of the usual type post or pilaster.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of means for joining an angularly disposed partition section to a straight wall unit.

Other and further objects of the invention may be more clearly understood from a consideration of the following specification which is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, and in which Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of a partition embodying one form of this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional View taken substantially on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view, showing the intermediate locking connection for adjacent panel units;

Fig. 4 is a perspective ing elements;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view, showing the meansof connecting an angular panel unit to a straight line partition section; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the structure shown in Figure 5.

view of one of the lock- Referring to the drawing, the invention is shown mounted in a partition section, generally indicated by the reference numeral I 0. This partition comprises adjacent panel units I I and I2. Intermediate these units a pilaster face plate I3 is located. Adjacent panel units are identical and consequently but one of them will be described in detail. Each of these units includes a panel supporting frame I4 having vertical rails I5. Perpendicular side walls I6 converge to form an inwardly opening channel I1 in which a glass or other panel I8 is located. The walls I6 are terminated by a longitudinally extending outwardly opening recess 20 formed by flanges 2I, 22, 23 and 24. The flange ZI r'estricts the size of the mouth' of the recess 20. At certain predetermined intervals the flange 2| is cut away a few inches for a purpose about to be described.

It is contemplated to eliminate the customary practise of locating a plurality of posts or pilasters throughout the partition and supporting the panel units thereby. However, since a break in the straight line of the partition has been customary in design and because such breaks permit erection of intermediate angularly disposed partition sections, it is contemplated to similate the provision of posts or pilasters between adjacent panelunits. This is accomplished through the use of partition height face plates I3. The novelty of such an arrangement lies in the substitution of suitable structure for spacedly tying together adjacent panel units and providing-in the tying means further means for engagement with theface plate I3. This is accomplished through theprovision of clips 26 which are each formedwith an outer straight wall 27 which 'terminates in longitudinal ribs or shoulders 28. From the shoulders 28, flanges 30 pro ect, being a substantially at right angles to the wall 21. The

flanges 39, at their upper end, terminate in small right angle flanges 3| which are tapered toward the lower end of the clip to form wedge-like portions 32. With the exception of slots 33, cut into the flanges 2I, the recess 20 has a full stricted opening. The slots 33 have a slightly greater length than that of the clips 26. The clips 26 may therefore be inserted into the adjacent slots 33 of adjacent panel units and be moved downwardly to occupy a position such that the clip flanges 3I will interlock with the flanges 2 I. Since it is possible that the panel units may not be exactly aligned for'the ready insertion of clips 26, the wedge-shaped surfaces 32 of the flanges 3| tend to laterally move or both of size of the panel units these clips are to secure. When a sufficient number of clips have been inserted into the recesses 20 of the adjacent walls of adjacent panel units, the same procedure'is resorted to to tie the opposite adjacent panel walls. It will be noted that access to the space 35 within the partition may readily be had for the purpose of in stalling wiring conduits, etc, The face plate I3 is arranged with inwardly directed flanges 36. Since these flanges are more or less spring-like, they are adapted to snap over the shoulders 28 of the clips 26 and abut the wall I6 of the panel units. It will readily be understood that, when adjacent panel units are thus connected, the partition presents the appearance of comprising a number of panel units supported by intermediate posts or pilasters. access may readily be had to wiring systems located in the partition by removing one or both of the face plates I3.

It will also be understood that,

' only one modification of this invention,

unit to a straight line partition. In this instance,

it is necessary to removably secure three adjacent panel rails IS. The third panel unit 38 is so .located that the flanges 22 of the rail l5 abut the adjacent flanges 2| of the rails of the adjacent panel units H and I2. The adjacent flanges 2| are provided with corresponding slots 33 and into each of these slots is inserted an angle clip 39, the walls 40 and 4| of which form spaced tapered legs 42 and 43. When the clip 39 is in-' serted into the adjacent openings 33 and moved downwardly, the legs 42 and cent panel units into close engagement with each other. The clip 39 performs the same function as the clip 26, being held in place'by thespringtension of the metal.

It will be noted that by reason of the structure above described, it is possible to reduce the cost of erecting many intermediate posts or pilasters without sacrificing the simplicityof design of a partition. It will also be noted that a partition of this type is extremely flexible in that sections may be added to or removed from or angularly directed units erected without disrupting .that portion of the partition previously setup.

Although applicant has shown and described it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other modifications or adaptations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the hereunto annexed claims.

Having thus set forth my invention what I 43 draw the adja openings said tions engageable with said flanges, said portions claim as new and for which I desire protection by Letters Patent is:

1. In a metal partition for buildings having adjacent panel units, means engageable with adjacent portions of said units for securing said units in fixed spaced relationship, wedge portions on said means for laterally adjusting said units, and a face plate enclosing the space between said units, said face plate being engaged with said means.

2. In a metal partition for buildings having adjacent panel units, rails forming the edges of said units, outwardly directed flanges on said rails, said flanges being cut to produce corresponding openings, a clip projectable into said clip having wedge shaped porserving to laterally adjust and secure said panel units.

3. In a metal partition for buildings having 2 angularly arranged panel units, rails forming adjacent edges of said units, means engageable with said rails for securing said units in fixed abutting relationship, and wedge portions on said means for laterally adjusting saidunits to bring them into abutment.

4. In a metal partition for buildings having angularly arranged panel units, rails forming adjacent edges of said units, flanges on said rails, said flanges being cut to produce corresponding transverse openings, means projectable into said openings to engage said flanges and secure said units in fixed relationship, and wedge portions on said meansfor laterally adjusting said units during assembly.

AXEL G. DAWSON. 

